It wasn’t the first time someone associated with the Baltimore Ravens or Pittsburgh Steelers used the word “hate” in regard to part of the teams’ rivalry. But in this case, it was one of utmost respect.
The Ravens’ official website compiled comments from past and present members of the organization about Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whose final regular-season game is likely to be Sunday in Baltimore.
Former Ravens linebacker Bart Scott, as he was known to do during his career and since, had the most provocative message for Roethlisberger.
“Ben,” Scott said, “I hate you. I’m glad you’re done.”
Of course, Scott was saying it out of admiration for a future Hall of Fame quarterback who twice beat a team Scott was on in the AFC championship game.
“He stopped me from going to the Super Bowl (twice) — once as a Raven and once as a Jet,” Scott said, according to baltimoreravens.com. “So I genuinely do hate him. But that’s the greatest sign of respect.”
Added Scott: “The greatest thing I could say about Ben Roethlisberger is that he played like a Raven. That’s something rare to say about an opponent, but Ben Roethlisberger would have been a great Raven.”"The dude was just a competitor, one of those ultimate competitors."
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 7, 2022
Past and present Ravens discuss the battles with Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger over the years. https://t.co/pJE8y24RKL
In 18 seasons, Roethlisberger is 18-11 as a starter against the Ravens, including 2-1 in the playoffs. He made note this week about how his first NFL appearance was at M&T Bank Stadium (as a rookie in 2004).
“He played the role of the villain for the Ravens very well,” former Ravens tight end Todd Heap told the team’s website. “Now that I’m more removed from it, I can appreciate what he’s done and the way in which he did it. There haven’t been a lot of quarterbacks like him that were that physical and made plays the way he did.”
Roethlisberger’s renowned toughness perhaps was most on display against the Ravens. In 2006, Scott sacked him so hard he bragged about feeling the air leave Roethlisberger’s body. Four years later, Roethlisberger’s nose was broken by a hit from Haloti Ngata.
“The dude was just a competitor, one of those ultimate competitors,” Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed told the Ravens’ website. “Big Ben always gave them a chance.”
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